If It's Too Loud...

Artist : Angine de Poitrine Album : Vol.II Quick Thoughts : The buzziest of buzz bands since perhaps the Letterman Future Islands appearance, the whole buildup to Angine de Poitrine's second album feels like the indie heyday. The two performers, a drummer and a dual-guitarist who wear polka-dotted alien costumes and play microtonal instrumental music, are different than most of the stuff out there these days. Yes, there is plenty of math rock playing in this particular sandbox, and AdP will not be the last pseudononymous musical act to perform behind a mask, but this is a case where the narrative does not overshadow the musicality. It's complicated music, it's catchy as hell, and it's just abrasive and weird enough to become a sort of litmus test we haven't seen in ages. For me, I absolutely love this and I haven't stopped loving it since it dropped. Songs of Note : "Fabienk," "Mata Zyklek," "Sarniezz," "Utzp," ...

My expectations for Monday night's Tigers Jaw show were fairly high, possibly too high. I missed Something in the Way Festival on Saturday, but their set that day was the talk of Sunday. All day I kept hearing people talk about how great they were, so I instantly wanted to check them out next time they came through the area. Luckily I didn't have to wait that long since they played The Sinclair on Monday night. Tigers Jaw's set started off good. Really good, but not quite the level of great I was expecting. I was enjoying it, but thought they might have been more than a little overhyped. And then the third song, "Head is Like a Sinking Stone," kicked in, and suddenly I fully understood the hype. From there my casual fandom multiplied, and I was completely invested in the show. The crowd erupted for virtually every song, and after they played "Never Saw It Coming," it was an all out frenzy for the band. As a (formerly) non-diehard fan, I was surprised by ...

Photo by Rebecca Lader One of the biggest hits of this year's Something in the Way Festival, Tigers Jaw, are back with a new single. "BREEZER" is a giant alt-rock meets emo power ballad. You know how mainstream emo and pop punk bands used to cover 80's power ballads ironically and for a laugh? Tigers Jaw are working a power ballad completely earnestly, and the results are fantastic. This shows the Scranton, PA band wearing their hearts fully on their sleeves, and Brianna Collins' vocals are stunning here. "BREEZER" isn't a song concerned with being cool, it's a song that's pure emotion, and it's making us love Tigers Jaw even more. Brianna Collins says of the band's latest single: “I tend to romanticize past versions of myself in moments of uncertainty, while also finding comfort in life’s unpredictability. ‘BREEZER’ is about the ebb and flow of insecurity, doubt, and escapism, and my gradual acceptance of the cyclical nature of these...

Photo by Mike Paulshock Fresh off a killer set at Something in the Way last weekend (I missed their Saturday set, but it was what everyone was talking about Sunday), Tigers Jaw have a brand new single out. "Primary Colors" is a fantastic Midwest emo/indie rock power ballad that's a duet between Ben Walsh and Brianna Collins. This one packs quite the wallop, and is going to burrow itself deep into your subconscious for days. This is emo at its absolute finest, and if you prefer your emo melding with indie rock, "Primary Colors" is going to be a dream for you. The song is beautiful, not despite but because of the discordant parts. This one track is making me wish I had been able to check out their SITW set on Saturday, because this one single sounds like it will be amazing live. Ben Walsh says of his band's latest single: “‘ Primary Colors ’ is about being so wrapped up in the aftermath of something that it overwhelms your senses entirely. When you’re stuck so...